Make sure that anything fragile within your box is wrapped securely and won’t move around or become damaged.Use a small piece of tape to keep the box closed. Place the box in the cent...

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For the perfect wrap

Make sure that anything fragile within your box is wrapped securely and won’t move around or become damaged.

Use a small piece of tape to keep the box closed.

Place the box in the center of unfurled wrapping paper, upside down, so the seams of the paper will end up on the bottom of the package. Bring the paper up one side and over the top of the box, all the way to the opposite edge. Estimating how much additional paper you’ll need to cover the side of the box that’s not yet covered, cut the paper.

Double-sided tape can be used for a cleaner look.

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Bright-red bows tied on carefully wrapped, shiny packages are no longer the norm under the Christmas tree.

Instead of wrapping and bows, gift bags are the preferred method. It's easier, cheaper and quicker.

One person who disagrees with bags being quicker than wrapping is Janet Elefante of The Apple Tree in Stroudsburg.

In addition to her duties as a sales representative, Elefante is the creative mind behind the elegantly wrapped packages that go out the clothing boutique's front door.

"It has to be done so it looks nice, but it has to be done quickly," she said. "We simply don't have the time to spend, especially during the holidays."

At The Apple Tree, all sales clerks are schooled in the art of making bows. It is one of the best ways to dress up a package, Elefante said.

"Before you start, gather together everything you will need," she said.

Gather the wrapping paper, scissors and tape.

"I always use 1½-inch transparent Scotch tape. You can't use cheap tape because it won't work," Elefante said. "It works the best and I always use it."

Next, you need a piece of paper large enough to cover the gift.

"I have done so many, I just know how much paper I need by looking at the box — and after a while, so will you," she said.

You want the wrapped box to have clean lines, so fold in the paper's raw edges. Then wrap and tape.

Next, the end flaps get folded in. There should be a 2- to 3-inch overhang, Elefante said.

All that is left to do then is to put on the focal point of the package: the bow.

"We make all kinds of bows — double-sided ribbon, wire ribbon and tulle. Sometimes we use tulle and ribbon," she said.

Elefante buys the tulle and ribbon from American Ribbon in Stroudsburg, and she usually keeps a variety of colors on hand in the store.

Is is important to use double-sided ribbon, so both sides of the ribbon look exactly the same. That way, no matter how the loops or tails hang, everything looks the same, and the tulle gives the package an elegant look and takes little time, Elefante said.

For ribbons, you can spend a little or a lot, said Joann Marshall, an employee at American Ribbon in Stroudsburg.

Tulle comes in several styles and prices. "The plain tulle is nice, and it sells for $3.85 for 25 yards, but if you want to add a little bit of glamour, there is a nice tulle for $6.49 for 25 yards," Marshall said. They also stock a 25-yard roll of glitter tulle for $10.

Double-sided ribbon comes in different sizes, but the most commonly used is the 1½-inch that sells for $5.45 for a 10-yard roll, and the wire ribbon ranges from $2.50 to $25 for 10 yards.

With the wired ribbon, it depends on the material and the width, Marshall said.

"There are really so many things you can do with ribbon," she said.

Ask the Expert is published on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Readers can send their questions or ideas to aleap@poconorecord.com.